BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore is in need of new police officers. A growing city and greater scrutiny of law enforcement has made entry into the department selective and demanding. Kai Jackson has inside access to the recruiting process.

The Baltimore City police department is looking for a few good men and women.

“The goal is to prepare these men and women to be the best police officers we can possibly make them,” said Baltimore City Police Lt. Alonzo Moreland.

And they allowed WJZ to get a glimpse into their world by sampling the process of becoming a cop.

There are roughly 3,000 officers on the force. The number they recruit each year varies, depending upon things like retirement and need but it could be anywhere from 30 to 300 candidates. The starting salary is just over $41,000. To get your badge, you first have to pass a background check.

Police tell Eyewitness News in 2010, nearly 3,000 men and women applied to be city cops, but for some reason, many just didn’t make the cut. The brass tells us the problem isn’t finding applicants. Their problem is finding qualified applicants.